If you thought your phone bill was expensive, UK telecoms regulator Ofcom just announced an inflation-busting price hike that will triple the licence fees paid by UK mobile network operating companies. The likes of EE, O2, Vodafone and Three must pay the government to use the 900MHz and 1800MHz radio frequency spectrum bands, which from October next year will cost the industry £199.6m per year.

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October (10:00 - 16:00) University of Salford, MediaCityUK campus Free entry, ideal for the whole family

The University of Salford at MediaCityUK mutates into a massive, open doors science experiment, bringing together demos, debates, art/science premieres and Oculus Rift virtual reality experiences. Come along for drawing with drones, play with musical robots, step back in digital history from analogue TV to 4k film, make a bacterial selfie, see a colour changing shrimp, take part in a Science Question Time, and much more!

Bringing little ones to the event? Why not download our competition flyer and bring this along to Salford Science Jam! The best idea will win tickets to the Museum of Science and Industry’s 4D Cinema and lunch in the museum cafe for a family of four.

A student has been awarded the BBC Technology Apprentice of the Year award and, thanks to taking part in an innovative apprenticeship partnership with the broadcaster, is promised a bright career in the broadcast industry.